#british infantry

[bantarleton]

Eighteenth-century "satirists": Light infantry, but they're all overweight.

Absolutely everyone in the eighteenth century, apparently: This is the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.

[illustratus]

An Incident of Waterloo by Charles Achille d'Hardiviller

[blue-and-gilt]

What happens when a friend and fellow sword collector comes round to talk swords, collecting, rifles, books and generally chew the fat.

[military1st]

Steadfast and Ready.

A British Army soldier assigned to the King's Royal Hussars during Exercise Combined Resolve 24-02 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany.

The U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dana Clarke (2024).

[e350tb]

No one drips like the Royal Marines

[carbone14]

Char Matilda II du 7th Royal Tank Regiment – Opération Compass – Campagne d'Afrique du Nord – 19 décembre 1940

Photographe : Capitaine Geoffrey John Keating - No. 1 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit

©Imperial War Museums - E 1416

[neptunes-blue]

ww1 lads that I need to expand on,,

[herprivateswe]

Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, Passchendaele. Men of the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, resting in trenches during their advance on Veldhoek, 20 September 1917.

[casbooks]

Book 59 of 2024 (★★★★★)

Title: Sunday Bloody Sunday: A Soldier's War in Northern Ireland, Rhodesia, Mozambique and Iraq Authors: Gregory Michael Budd & Jake Harper-Ronald

ISBN: 9798858120445 Rating: ★★★★★

Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Mozambique, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Rhodesia, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Zimbabwe, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Europe.Northern Ireland Troubles, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Infantry.UK.British Army, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Middle East-SWA.Iraq.OIF.Mercs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.SpecOps.Rhodesian.SAS, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.SpecOps.Rhodesian.Selous Scouts

Description: Gold is forged in fire. Men in the furnace of adversity… Step into the extraordinary life of Jake Harper-Ronald, a man whose childhood dream of becoming a soldier led him on an unparalleled journey. In 1966, he fulfilled his ambition as a conscript in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment, only to embark on a series of adventures that most soldiers can only imagine. From early days in the elite Parachute Regiment in the UK to his pivotal role as the official photographer during the infamous 'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland, Jake's path was one of courage and resilience. He left an indelible mark on history, capturing iconic moments through his lens that still resonate today. Returning to Rhodesia in 1974, Jake's journey continued with the ultra-tough SAS and the Selous Scouts. His daring cross-border raids and contributions as a professional soldier showcased his unwavering commitment. Despite facing the trials of combat, he persevered, even transitioning to a top-secret Special Branch callsign and later joining Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation. Jake's remarkable story unfolded further as he operated as an intelligence agent for global powers such as South Africa, Britain, and the US. His path was not without challenges; accusations of treason led to his time in solitary confinement at Goromonzi Detention Centre. Undeterred, he emerged from adversity, and in 1989, MI6 enlisted his expertise to train and lead militias combating Renamo in Mozambique. His efforts were so impactful that his Special Forces unit was integrated into Mozambique's National Army. Witnessing the harrowing realities of Mozambique, Jake's journey came full circle as he returned to Zimbabwe and ventured into the private security sector and then on to private military contracting in Iraq. Despite his health declining, his resolve remained unshaken until his passing in 2007 at the age of 59. Immerse yourself in an incredible narrative of bravery, sacrifice, and tenacity as 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' chronicles the awe-inspiring life of Jake Harper-Ronald. This is more than a biography; it's a testament to the indomitable spirit of a true soldier and a captivating journey that will leave you inspired and in awe. Read It Now!

My Review: This is a book about a man who was always THERE, or THERE adjacent, or knew the people who were right THERE. From his days with 1 PARA during Operation Banner, to his time with the SAS and Selous Scouts Recce Troop, his time locked up in Goromonzi, to his final years in Mozambique and Iraq, Jake was really in the thick of it time and time again.

You'll see a lot of people talk about his overcoming adversity, his struggles, or focus on his actions and incidents, and it's all there, page after page. If you want to know what selection was like, the physical and mental toughness required, if you want to know what the contact and firefights, an interesting view of the Paras in NI, and SAS operations across the borders, this book has it in spades.

But what Budd was able to write about that sets this book apart, was the more personal aspects. His two marriages, his feelings toward Rhodesia as a nation, staying on and working for the new government in Zimbabwe and more. To read the chapter on the election night and about Mugabe's slaughter of the Matabele cuts right to the bone and is raw in its emotion. To read the chapter about his time in Goromonzi is incredibly difficult to read because of its detail and horrors. More importantly, Budd and Jake never shy away from the trauma and its effects on him after that. How much that changed him, how much he continued to suffer because of that.

This is a man who killed, who had so many friends killed, who saw atrocities, and isn't shy about talking about an incident that he was ashamed to have partaken in. And a man who stayed, even when so many others left, who knew his faults and admitted them while sometimes trying to blame the stresses of the job, but accepted much of the responsibility for the things he did. Which is why that chapter on Goromonzi hits home so hard. As he succinctly put it, he was always willing to pay the price for the things he did, but to be tortured and destroyed in so many ways for something that someone else did, for something he was innocent of… that was too much to handle, too much to endure, and yet… he did. He survived, but surviving doesn't mean you aren't affected, don't carry the wounds and scars, and doesn't mean you are the same person you were before.

There is a lot to say about this book, and each section contains so much incredible info, so many good stories, and the writing is so fluid. From being a covert photographer and political shenanigans when he was with CIO and Special Branch, to the fireforce concept and what it was like fighting a war against all sides while heavily sanctioned. His experiences with the complexities of South Africa's machinations inside of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, and how even his own former friends wanted him dead for staying behind all give you an incredibly vivid picture of his life and the world around him. I'm really glad I grabbed this book, and reading it was definitely one of the highlights of this years group of books.

[kultofathena]

British 1897 Infantry Officer’s Saber with Steel Scabbard – Universal Swords

This reproduction of the British 1897 Infantry Officer’s Sword has a blade is forged from tempered 1055 high carbon steel and is lavishly embellished on both sides with etched filigree and royal military design. The hilt is crafted from steel and the grip is wood with a tight binding of faux rayskin which is overlaid with beautifully braided steel wire. The sword is paired with a scabbard of steel with steel hanging rings.

The 1897 British Infantry Officer’s Sword is still the current regulation issue sword of the British military and the sword has a long history of service from the late 19th century colonial conflicts and right throught the world wars.

[bantarleton]

One seriously badass photo from this year's Monmouth reenactment - British light infantry and jägers leading out Loyalists, Highlanders, dismounted dragoons. Courtesy of the 40th Foot Light Infantry/Bloodhounds and Bruce Neumann.

[illustratus]

British infantrymen of a royal regiment in an encampment, 1760

[blue-and-gilt]

Grenadier Officers sabre in the style of the 1803 Pattern infantry officers sword.

Although I've posted this sabre to the blog previously, I took extra pictures over the weekend to upload my Instagram account, and I might as well share them here.

This is another of those fun Georgian era sabres that doesn't neatly fit into any specific pattern. While the hilt shares similarities with the 1803 Pattern, instead of having the Royal Cipher, this sword has the grenadiers' flaming bomb surrounded by a wreath. It is also has a very heavy blade that is 'fashionable' with it's extreme proportions.

With a length of 82 cm and a curvature of 11.5 cm there is a lot of steel to blade. And the weight can be felt in the 17 cm balance point making the sword heavy in the hand. Maybe the officer who commissioned it was particularly tall, or he was of sufficient rank to be mounted and wanted a sword to use from horse back. Maybe he just wanted the biggest sword he could get away with. Unfortunately we'll never know. By comparison, the other sabre is an 1803 Pattern Infantry officers by Bennett, this sword has a 81 cm blade and 13.5 cm balance point making it a much better handling sword.

[military1st]

A Royal Marine from 45 Commando advances their position during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 2-19 at Range 220, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.

The U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Conner Downey (2019).

[nyapetaleijon]

how do i always forget how hard GPTvsTMK goes. unbeatable

[carbone14]

Hommes de la Compagnie D, 2e Bataillon des Sherwood Foresters, 1ère Division d'infanterie britannique dans une tranchée avancée près de Roches – Bataille de France – la drôle de guerre – France – 1er avril 1940

Photographe : Lieutenant E. A. Taylor - War Office official photographer

©Imperial War Museums - F 3504

Le caporal suppléant L. J. Harris est en train de se raser.